1. THE MITIGATION PHASE OF DISASTER RESPONSE Rev. Dr. Paul Wood, Jr. Greenwood District Disaster Response Coordinator

2. DISASTER RESPONSE FOUR PHASES

3. DISASTER RESPONSE’S FOUR PHASES: MITIGATION PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE RECOVERY

4. DISASTER RESPONSE SHOULD START WITH MITIGATION

5. Definition of disaster mitigation Phases of mitigation The rationale for mitigation Examples of churches doing mitigation WHAT WE WILL COVER

6. BUT FIRST….. WHAT IS A DISASTER? A disaster is a crisis situation causing wide spread damage which far exceeds our ability to recover….

7. CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS OF DISASTERS Are local Are local Are experienced differently from person to person Are experienced differently from person to person Some are individual Some are individual Some affect one or more households Some affect one or more households Some affect large groups of people. Some affect large groups of people.

8. MITIGATION (OR “RISK REDUCTION”) IS PREPARATION DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF RISKS AND HAZARDS

9. DISASTER MITIGATION The effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Mitigation is taking action now – before the next disaster – to reduce human and financial consequences later. – George McKinney

10. Reduce risk of loss of financial resources Save people from harm Minimize damage to the facilities & contents GOOD REASONS FOR DISASTER MITIGATION

11. MORE GOOD REASONS FOR DISASTER MITIGATION Stave off major capital expenditures by having adequate property insurance. Be resilient in the face of disaster in order to turn to the task of responding to the needs of other people.

12. PHASES OF MITIGATION A. Risk assessment B.Planning C. Action

13. V. 1 ST PHASE OF MITIGATION A. Risk assessment 1.Identify assets (members, buildings, land, financial resources, etc.) 2.Analyze the risks 3.Summarize your vulnerabilities

14. V. 2 ND & 3 RD PHASES OF MITIGATION A. Risk assessment B.Planning C. Action

15. RATIONALE FOR MITIGATION: SUMMARY It creates safer communities by reducing losses of life and property. Enables individuals & communities to recover more rapidly from disasters. Lessens the financial impact on individuals, the community, state & nation.

16. ONE MORE REASON TO DO MITIGATION Churches can expeditiously respond to the human needs within their communities, i.e. they can return to doing ministry.

17. REVIEW: MOST LIKELY DISASTERS IN THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT Tornado Chemical spill Hurricane remnants Severe winter storm Nuclear power emergency Fire – wildfires & structural fires

18. WHICH HAZARDS APPEAR TO BE MOST LIKELY TO EFFECT YOUR COMMUNITY & CONGREGATION? Discussion in twos and threes

19. MITIGATION ISSUES IN CHURCHES 1.Health-related emergencies a) equipment b) procedures 2.Plans to respond to a tornado 3.Evacuation plans

20. MITIGATION ISSUES IN CHURCHES 4.Back-up of membership & financial records (off-site) 5.Fire extinguishers 6.Planning & training for ushers & staff

21. MITIGATION ISSUES IN CHURCHES 7.Insurance policies: a) up-to-date b) sufficient 8.Inventories: up-to-date; multiple copies

22. MITIGATION ISSUES IN CHURCHES 9.Relationships established with: a) government agencies b) schools c) churches d) American Red Cross, etc.

23. MITIGATION ISSUES IN CHURCHES What else comes to mind?

24. DISASTER RESPONSE FOUR PHASES